By Sue-Ann Wayow

TO date, there are 2,292 queries pending further information for the processing of Senior Citizens’ Pensions as it relates to the National Insurance Board (NIB).

Minister of the People Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit said on Thursday that the ministry has challenges related to receiving information from the NIB affecting the timely processing of some applications.

The ministry had on Wednesday, issued a press release advising that it has taken prompt and decisive action to address the backlog due to the verification process by the NIB.

Mohit spoke further on the issue at the press briefing.

“The delay really stems from a Memorandum of Agreement between our ministry and the NIB to function as intended. The agreement was to enable a shared portal for secure and timely access for benefit information.

“The current inefficiencies have only deepened the frustration of our elderly citizens,” she said.

Mohit said, “This situation has placed already vulnerable individuals into further financial hardship and this is simply unacceptable.”

She has requested an urgent meeting with Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo and the technical team at NIB to address the backlog.

There were also 1,438 immigration queries outstanding due a separate agreement with the Immigration Division, the minister said.

Mohit said she also issued an invitation to Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander and his team to participate in a joint intervention to address the issue.

Alexander was also present at the Cabinet press briefing.

Mohit said the meeting with the other ministers was scheduled for June 4.

The delays in application processes have resulted in some applicants waiting more than two years to receive their pension from government.

“We are working to ensure that we come up with a plan as soon as possible so that our applicants for senior citizens pension can breathe a sigh of relief,” Mohit said.

She also said more information will be given out in the coming weeks.